FEELINGS
UNTOUCHABLE (KRYBER)"Wow. You two killed one of those monsters when you were only cadets? That's really amazing!" said Taeyeon.
"But it was just luck that we got out alive," said Yuri. "I got a head injury and a fractured arm because of that. Amber couldn't walk for weeks."
"Still, that's amazing. You two were really brave to come back for that girl. Were there any casualties?" asked Tiffany.
"Luckily there were none. Could've been me if Yuri didn't come back for me," said Amber.
"Awe. Yuri's really sweet," said Tiffany.
"I can't leave you there, bud. After everyone in Dorm A went into the alley, I noticed that there is only one Even around. I knew that the other one could be in the building. That's why I followed you."
"Thanks, bud." Amber fist bumped Yuri's.
"But I thought there were four Evens?" asked Taeyeon.
"There were two pairs. One died attacking the Retter Barriers. Two of them attacked Dorm A and the other one attacked in the gymnasium area," said Yuri. "SAUs came in right away and killed the three."
"You guys must've been popular in your school that time, huh?" said Tiffany.
"Well, Amber and I got a reward for that," said Yuri, looking at Amber. "After that, better things started happening."
"Like what? Getting girls?" asked Taeyeon.
Yuri smiled. "You know, sometimes, jealousy tells us what we really feel towards another person."
---
"What's this?" asked Amber, looking at the paper in front of her. Krystal just came back to their room with Jiwon, the former looking upset. Krystal threw a paper on Amber's bed and went on arranging her stuff.
"We got that paper from the admin," said Jiwon, settling on Krystal's side of the bed. Because of Amber's injury, Krystal arranged their beds side by side so she could look after Amber easier. "That's the list of people who'd want to be roomed with you next semester."
"With me?" Amber couldn't believe it. The list is long, some names are already written on the back of the paper. "I don't even know these people…"
"Maybe it's because the rumors of Krystal transferring to another room is back again. It's the end of school year, you know."
Amber looked at the list again, feeling sad that it'll be just a few days from now before the school ends.
"Who says I'm really transferring rooms?" Krystal finally spoke, still looking upset. "I haven't confirmed anything yet, right? Why are they assuming already?"
"You mean you still want to be roomed with Amber next sem?" asked Jiwon, making Amber look up to them.
"Of course! I bet those girls just want to be roomed with her because of the recent attack that happened." Krystal went to Amber and bent down to check the casted leg. "Seohyun got a list too. A lot of those es wanted to be roomed with Yuri and Amber."
Jiwon just laughed at Krystal's irritation. Amber couldn't help but smile too.
"How's this? How are you feeling?" asked Krystal, still observing the casted leg.
"Just fine. I was just resting here since you left this morning," said Amber. She couldn’t do much by herself because of her leg injury. It was Krystal who's assisting her.
"Nice. Are you hungry now?"
"A bit."
Krystal stood up to get the crutch situated on the well. "Okay. Jiwon and I will take you to lunch."
"Yup. That's why I'm here. My best friend wanted me to help assist you, Amber," said Jiwon. "We could've just bought lunch and bring it here, right?"
"She's been here the whole morning, Jiwon," said Krystal, assisting Amber now. "She needs to go out too."
"It's okay, I can go outside on my own," said Amber, feeling embarrassed.
"No. You're not going anywhere without me," said Krystal like it's the end of discussion. "Some girls outside are dying to see you. They might injure you more if they try to hug you or what."
"No one messes with her royal highness, Amber," said Jiwon, winking at Amber.
---
"Krys?"
"Hmm?"
"So, you're not transferring rooms anymore?"
Krystal finished tucking the bedsheet and climbed onto the bed. "Do you want me to?"
"No. But I thought your mom..." Amber trailed off.
"Don't mind her," said Krystal, waving a hand. "You and Yuri saved my life. I believe she should be happy that I was roomed with one of you, right?"
"Won't she get mad at you?"
"It doesn't matter. I've made my decision already. I'm tired of following her for the sake of making her happy. This time, I'm making my decision for my own happiness."
Amber tried her best to hold off smiling, hoping that she's one of those people who contributes to Krystal's happiness.
"And why are you smiling?" asked Krystal, settling down beside Amber. Their arms against each other.
"I'm just glad that you're not transferring rooms. You're one of the few friends I have here."
That made Krystal smile for a second, then shifted into irritation. "But a lot of girls want to be friends with you now after that heroic thing you and Yuri did."
"Maybe. But they won't be able to replace you, Krys."
Krystal raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
"The care you showed me is genuine, even before the attack happened. These girls just wanted to be around me because of the fame I got after the school awards."
"Woo. Aren't you planning to get yourself a girlfriend? Maybe you can find one from them."
Amber looked at Krystal. "Do you want me to find a girlfriend?"
Krystal couldn’t answer. She looked away. "No. I meant... it's up to you. Why would I hinder you from getting a girlfriend, right?"
"So, you mean you won't mind?"
"I won't. Just make sure she won't be ing with me, or else I'll cut her head off."
Amber laughed. "You're scary."
"Just letting you know. I don't want your future girlfriend to be making issues about our closeness. I guess it will be better not to find anyone soon."
"Well, I’m not planning on looking for one. Besides, I don’t think I’m the noticeable type."
Krystal whipped her head to Amber, eyeing the latter from head to foot. "Are you serious? You're amazing and attractive. I’m sure it won't be hard for you to find a girl, court her, and get her to say yes."
"Really? I didn't know that you find me attractive," mused Amber, scratching the back of her head.
"Duh. Haven't you noticed the girls who are all trying to get your attention? You and Yuri can already form a band, perform, and all your girl fans will be swooning over you I bet."
Amber chuckled. "I'm not looking for one right now. My focus is my studies."
"Good! You should focus more on your studies than flirting. Besides, why would you need a girlfriend if you have me taking care of you already," said Krystal, wagging her eyebrows.
"Totally agree," said Amber, smiling at Krystal. "Plus, I don't want another woman bossing me around."
"You're crazy." Krystal smacked Amber's arm playfully.
After the laughter died, the two became silent as they stared at the ceiling.
"What do you think will happen to us next school year?" asked Krystal.
"I don't know. But I'm sure I'm gonna miss you this vacation," said Amber, turning her head at Krystal.
Krystal smiled and moved closer to snuggle Amber's arm. "Oh, I'm gonna miss you too, Amber."
---
"How are you feeling?" Jiwon asked Krystal.
"Just fine. Why'd you ask?"
"You seem to be lost in thoughts just a moment ago."
Krystal combed her fingers through her hair. "Ah. That. I was just remembering how I felt when that attack happened."
"Just that?"
Krystal looked at the big screen in front of her and sighed. "Also her."
"What about her?"
"Jiwon, if you're trying to do this Psych thing over me, stop it now."
"Hey. I'm not. I'm just asking you as a friend."
"It just feels weird," said Krystal, slumping on her chair. "I haven't seen her in seven years but right now, for whatever reason, I feel connected to her more than ever."
Jiwon observed her friend. "Maybe it's because they're talking about your past and you're being nostalgic and all?"
Before Krystal could respond, Tiffany's voice echoed through the speakers.
"And then? Wait, wait, wait. Can we put a name to this girl?"
Taeyeon looked at Amber and Yuri. "Uh..."
"Let's just call her Amber's ex-girlfriend, Tiffany. We don’t want to use any names now," said Yuri. Jiwon and Krystal laughed.
"Yeah, that's better. Although it's quite long, but yeah, that's better," said Taeyeon.
"You can just call her like how I did before," said Amber.
"You meant, your endearment? And what was that?"
Amber turned to the other members of her troop and took a deep breath.
Krystal moved forward, resting her elbow on her knee and cupping her chin.
"Honey," said Krystal and Amber at the same time. Jiwon looked at her friend and smiled.
"Ooh. So, were you and Honey able to talk during vacation?" asked Tiffany.
"No. I was with Captain Taliw that time, following her wherever she was assigned."
"What? You spent your summer vacation in AEF HQ? That , man!" said Taeyeon.
"There are no other places I can go, guys. I don't have a living family, remember?"
"But she's got an advantage, guys. Captain Taliw was already giving her private training to become a SAU," said Yuri.
"No wonder you're so good right now, Cap. Getting trained by one of the best SAUs that ever lived. You're lucky," said Tiffany, saluting.
"But since you've got no communication with K -- err... Honey," said Taeyeon, correcting herself, "how was your vacation then?"
Amber turned to the window and smiled. "That was the longest two months of my life."
---
It was the start of another school year and Amber was more than excited to go back to her room in Dorm A. The classes are supposed to start by next week but she came in a few days early because she's tired of staying in the HQ.
When she opened the door to their room, Amber noticed a familiar bag sitting on the bed -- a bag that is not hers. She closed the door behind her and stepped into the room, finally seeing the person she's been missing these past two months.
Krystal, who's busy arranging her stuff on the table, noticed the movement and turned around. A smile immediately appeared on her face after seeing Amber.
"Amber!" Krystal ran towards Amber and gave a powerful bear-hug.
Amber struggled to maintain her balance for a moment as Krystal jumped at her. But then she recovered and hugged the girl back. "Hey..."
"Oh, my gosh! I missed you!"
"I missed you too, haha."
Krystal pulled back and held Amber's shoulders. "How are you? Is your leg fully recovered now?"
Amber nodded. "I'm fine. And yes, fully recovered now. Ready to face another Even."
Krystal's eyebrows furrowed. "No more of that for now."
Amber chuckled. "Yes, princess." It was too late when she realized what she said.
Krystal blushed a bit at that and looked away.
"How about you, how's your vacation?" asked Amber.
"It's more of a staycation. I was just indoors. You?"
"Same. I was just following Captain Taliw around, staying in the HQ most of the time."
Krystal looked at Amber like it's the first time she'd seen her. "I surely missed you, Amber," she said, holding Amber’s left arm and squeezing it.
It was Amber's turn to blush this time. She avoided Krystal's eyes. "Me too. I missed you, like a lot."
"It's okay now. We have the whole school year to make up for the past two months."
"I agree. Why don't we start with getting dinner together?"
"Dinner sounds great."
---
"Amber and Honey grew closer day after day," said Yuri. "We usually hang out altogether during dinner, with Honey and her best friend too. That's when I noticed that their closeness is slowly shifting into sweetness."
"And Cap and Honey weren't aware of that?" asked Tiffany.
"I believe they were both aware that something's going on however they are both in denial about it," said Yuri.
"Why?" asked Taeyeon.
"Maybe they are too comfortable around each other and putting a label to their relationship wasn't necessary."
"Then how did they become together?" asked Tiffany.
"They eventually realized it when people outside their relationship started to challenge them."
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